Spring Activator, Nimbus Synergies, and Discovery Foundation team up to launch program to strengthen impact focused health innovation in BC

Nimbus Synergies, an investor, partner, and mentor to early-stage health tech startups based in Canada, is proud to announce its partnership with Spring Activator, the Discovery Foundation, and Innovate BC to launch a program that strengthens impact focused health innovation ecosystem in BC. The program is designed to support health innovation startups by preparing them for investment and connecting them with investors.

Canada has a strong research and development infrastructure that drives the success of the health innovation industry. However, many impact-focused healthcare startups lack the capital necessary to accelerate their growth. To bridge this gap, the program will provide custom curriculum, tools, and resources that will help these startups prepare for and secure venture funds.

Starting in June 2023, the roll out will take place in two phases:

Phase 1: The Discovery Foundation’s RISE Resilience: Health Investment Readiness Program (IRP) will provide support and resources to prepare health innovation startups for investment readiness.

Phase 2: The Nimbus Synergies Health Impact Investor Challenge (IIC) will provide increased investment knowledge and connect chosen entrepreneurs with Investors to drive purposeful innovation. The challenge will culminate in $100,000 invested into a prominent Canadian healthcare company from investors across the country along with a free office space within the Discovery Parks and Nimbus Synergies’ incubator known as the 'Generator' that provide early-stage technology companies space, mentorship, and community.

The program aims to strengthen the health innovation ecosystem in BC and support the growing health innovation industry. Spring Activator, a regional partner, will work with the Discovery Foundation, Innovate BC, and Nimbus Synergies to provide foundational investment education and insights to startups, as well as guiding early-stage and impact-curious investors end-to-end through the impact investing process. This program will be a unique opportunity for BC healthcare startups to access investment and tap into support and connection resources to scale their growth and impact. Additionally, the challenge will provide investors with the chance to discover and support mission-driven startups that do good for their communities, connecting their capital with meaningful impact.

“Spring Activator is thrilled to collaborate with Discovery Foundation, Innovate BC and Nimbus Synergies Inc to support the growing health innovation ecosystem in BC. Through collaborating with regional partners and empowering investors with a diversity of knowledge and networks in the sector, this program will be a unique opportunity for BC healthcare startups to not only access investment, but also tap into support and connection resources to scale their growth and impact.” Keith Ippel, Founder and Co-CEO at the Spring Activator

“We are excited to partner with Spring Activator to enable the Health Investment Readiness Program to put exciting impact-focused healthcare startups in front of investors to help scale their solutions,” said David Harper, CEO, Discovery Foundation. “Transforming health outcomes is a core tenet of our investment thesis, and we are excited that this program will equip a new cohort of investors to invest in innovative new solutions making healthcare more inclusive, accessible and affordable.”

"We are thrilled to partner with Spring Activator, the Discovery Foundation, and Innovate BC to launch the Health Investment Readiness Program and Health Impact Investor Challenge. By providing education, resources, and connections to purpose-driven startups, we can help accelerate their growth and impact in the healthcare industry, ultimately improving health outcomes for Canadians." said Paul Geyer, CEO, Nimbus Synergies.

Applications are now open for Entrepreneurs. To apply for the program, click here .

About Spring Activator 

A certified B Corporation®, Spring Activator is a global incubator, accelerator, and advisory firm that empowers entrepreneurs, investors, and entrepreneurial ecosystem builders to change the world through innovation. With its advisory services, it has helped over 70 different incubators, accelerators, foundations, and governments across 5 continents enhance their capacity to maximize impact both in their local communities and globally. Through its impact programs, Spring has helped more than 2100+ entrepreneurs and raised over $30M in funding. Provided training support for over 170+ impact Investors.  More information available at www.spring.is

About Discovery Foundation

Discovery Foundation is dedicated to promoting and facilitating innovation and development of the technology sector in British Columbia.  We focus on programs that encourage and support diversity and inclusion. Our management team is  composed of passionate professionals who each bring a unique set of skills to the foundation.  If you would like to learn more about how you can partner with Discovery Foundation to deliver our educational programs, please contact us! To learn more about the Discovery Foundation, please visit: https://www.discoveryfoundation.ca/.

About Nimbus Synergies Inc

Nimbus Synergies leads early-stage financings in innovative and complementary health technology startups. By bringing these startups together to share resources, industry specific knowledge, and relationships, Nimbus is accelerating their growth and increasing their likelihood of success. Nimbus is significantly impacting the burgeoning yet underserved digital health and health technology sectors through its leadership as investor, partner, and mentor.

About Innovate BC

Innovate BC helps foster innovation in B.C. so that British Columbians in all regions of the province can benefit from a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive innovation economy. A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC funds and delivers programs that support the growth of the B.C. economy by helping companies start and scale, train talent that meets labour market needs, and encourage technology development, commercialization, and adoption. To learn more about Innovate BC, please visit: https://www.innovatebc.ca/

 

 

Nimbus Synergies appoints Nancy Harrison to its Board of Directors to strengthen its position in Canadian Health Tech

Nimbus Synergies, investor, partner, and mentor to Canada’s most promising health technology companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy Harrison to the Board of Directors. Nancy is a nationally recognized life sciences entrepreneur and investor with almost 30 years of experience as an innovator and leader in the sector.

“I am excited to join the Board of Nimbus Synergies and work more closely with a team who is deeply committed to sourcing the most promising investment opportunities and partnering with inspiring health innovators and entrepreneurs to drive impactful health outcomes,” said Nancy Harrison.

Nancy is a Vancouver-based Venture Partner with Amplitude Ventures. She previously spent more than a decade as a Co-Founder and President of MSI Methylation Sciences, growing it from a nascent startup to raising over USD $70M during her tenure. Prior to her accomplishments at MSI, Nancy spent 14 years as a Senior Vice President and Partner with Ventures West Management, BC’s pioneer Venture Capital firm responsible for significant contributions to the BC tech industry. Nancy led the life sciences team, growing its portfolio allocation from zero to over 30 percent of Venture West’s total investments. During her time with Ventures West, the firm grew from approximately $80 million to $750 million. Nancy also serves on a number of other ecosystem Boards for organizations such as adMare BioInnovations, Genome BC’s Industry Innovation Program (I2), and BIOTECanada Emerging Company Advisory Board . Nancy is also a Fellow with Creative Destruction Labs (CDL) - Vancouver.

“Nancy is a well-respected and celebrated champion of Canada’s life sciences sector and has been a significant contributor to its promotion and growth for nearly three decades. Her expertise as both a venture capitalist and a seasoned operator as well as her alignment with our aspirations make her an important addition to our Board of Directors” says Paul Geyer, CEO, Nimbus Synergies. “I look forward to her contributions as we execute on our ambitions to be Canada’s most impactful health technology venture capital firm.”

With an MBA from McGill and an Engineering degree from Queens, Nancy is a recipient of the 2020 Milton Wong Leadership Award from Life Sciences BC, the 2020 PEAK Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Association of Women in Finance, CDL-Vancouver Fellow of the Year in 2019, and has previously been named to the Globe & Mail’s Top 40 under 40 in Canada.

Nancy’s appointment coincides with long-time technology pioneer and thought leader Greg Peet’s retirement from Nimbus’ Board, where he served for the past five years. Greg’s advocacy of the need for increased early-stage capital in British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem was persuasive in establishing Nimbus’ purpose.

“Greg’s passion, commitment, and mentorship to our organization and especially our investment team has been exemplary and instrumental as it has grown and matured over the last few years,” reflected Paul Geyer. “While his insights and contributions will be missed, we wish him the greatest success and fulfillment in his future endeavours.”

ABOUT NIMBUS SYNERGIES

Nimbus Synergies leads early-stage financings in innovative and complementary health technology companies in Canada. By bringing these companies together to share resources, industry specific knowledge, and relationships, Nimbus is accelerating their growth and increasing their likelihood of success. Nimbus is significantly impacting the health technology sector through its leadership as investor, partner, and mentor.